The Top 40 Artist Twitters

Whether you think it's a social networking marvel or an unfortunate byproduct of ever-shortening attention spans, Twitter seems here to stay. Over the past couple of years, it's become a go-to tool for musicians looking to bridge the gap between fan and performer. Some have a utilitarian style, updating followers on tour dates and releases with little commentary, which can be helpful. But others use it as an art form unto itself, extending their personality and/or artistic aesthetic by way of quick zaps of wit, profundity, and info. (And maybe a few cat pics.)

So we've rounded up our all-time favorite artist Twitters in handy list form, with the ranking based exclusively on micro-blog acumen. Some early innovators have quit the service, while others continue to advance the form to this day, 140 characters at a time.

For more Twitter madness, head over to Pitchfork's feed and check out our brand new Twitter Lists, where we've grouped hundreds of Twitters that we follow into categories: Artists (official artist Twitters), Labels (record labels), Events (festivals, venues, and more), and Stuff We Like (the best of the rest of the internet). They'll also be updated regularly, so feel free to follow them if you're so inclined.

40. Harlem (@HarlemWhateverr)
Whether it's the drugs they just took, the places they're staying, or the jokes they're telling in the van, you can bet your ass that Jose, Coomers, and Curtis of lo-fi rockers Harlem have something negative to say about it.Choice Tweet: "Dear cocaine, I've decided you're a jerk. I'm dating your younger brother adderalll.he remembers my birthday and doesn't make me crazy."Multimedia__:__ Other than the occasional TwitPic, not really.Will they @ you back?____: Maybe, but they mostly talk to other bands, close friends, and labels.

39. Jay Electronica (@JayElectronica)
The enigmatic rapper Tweeted the birth of his daughter with Erykah Badu back in February 2009. Nowadays, he mostly promotes positivity, love, and tells stories about the first time he saw a dead body.Choice Tweet: Well, it's not all positivity: "niggas walking round with jewelry on they wrist that look like it belong to Liza Minelli or my Grandmother."Multimedia?____: Some photos from his travels around the world, plus links to YouTube favorites that may nor may not feature Kermit.Will he @ you back?____: Only if you're his actual friend in real life, it seems.

38. Pictureplane (@pictureplane)
If he's not making indignant cultural statements, Denver screech-house producer Travis Egedy tweets about what he's listening to, what he's been up to, what he's about to eat, the substances he's ingested-- in other words, kinda like Diplo, if Diplo hung out with Lil B more often.Choice Tweet: "what are people voting about? and why am i told that it is important? why could i not care less?"Multimedia: Links and pics everywhere.Will he @ you back?: Maybe. Mentioning how good he was when you saw him perform last night seems to help!

37. James McNew (@dumpland)
The Yo La Tengo bassist (and occasional solo artist) doesn't talk about his music too often on his Twitter. Instead, he comes off like an average dude, documenting his own TV habits and keeping up a surprising number of conversations with New York indie-rap personalities.Choice Tweet: "Sorry Mr. President, I'm gonna have to call you back - 'Death Wish 3' is on."Multimedia?: Occasional photos, but not much else.Will he @ you back?: Likely. He's a talkative sort, and he's only barely broken 1,000 followers.

36. Mark Arm (@shitmarkarmsays)
This discontinued Twitter, run by the Mudhoney frontman's Sub Pop co-workers, has only seven total posts in its history. This is a goddamn shame. Still, the last update only came about a month ago, so there's still hope they'll revive it. They should; we smell a sitcom.Choice Tweet: "Referring to a red double decker bus: 'I went on one of those when I was in New York. But the dude driving it was bullshit.'" Multimedia?: Does one Billy Squier video count? If so, yes.Will he @ you back?: We're not even sure Arm knows this Twitter exists. So, no.

35. Justin Vernon (@blobtower)
The Bon Iver leader posts pics of life on the road along with RTs of haters and lovers alike.Choice Tweet: "for some reason, im watching the mummy movie trilogy. yes, the ones with brendan fraiser. CANDY!!"Multimedia?: Pictures of favorite albums and hungover tour mates abound.Will he @ you back?: If you talk enough shit, you too could get an RT.

34. Carl Newman (@ACNewman)
Though his activity is sporadic, the New Pornographers leader is just personal enough, just funny enough, just music-y enough. Reads like random bits of stage banter.Choice Tweet: "Ping recommends I should follow Katy Perry, U2, Linkin Park, Lady Gaga and Jack Johnson. Sarcasm doesn't become you, Ping."Multimedia?: None.Will he @ you back?: Not unless you've screwed him over: "Dear @siriuscanada, your USA branch has screwed me over, a fellow Canadian who just wanted a cool radio. Defend the honour of your country."

33. Aesop Rock (@aesoprockwins)
Yeah, the indie hip-hop vet stays pretty serious on his records, but he's funnier here, doling out bizarre Halloween advice ("Bury all fruit at midnite") and big-upping the epic Nintendo 64 classic Zelda: The Ocarina of Time in nearly the same breath.Choice Tweet: "has anyone ever punched a tiger in the face just on some 'fuck you' shit? if so how did said tiger react? please respond within 4 seconds"Multimedia__:__ The occasional TwitPic or link, otherwise not too much.Will he @ you back?____: Probably, even if it's just to say "thanks."

32. Chris Walla (@Jumex)
Much like the music of Death Cab for Cutie, the Twitter account of the producer and Death Cab For Cutie guitarist is polite, good-natured, and humorous; Walla recently led a game taking submissions for attempts to name Surfer Blood's next album (our favorite? "A Rush of Surfer Blood to the Head").Choice Tweet: "DA potato chip omelet is reasonable, right?"Multimedia__:__ Not much, other than the occasional link.Will he @ you back?____: Probably-- dude loves Twitter!

31. Les Savy Fav's Tim Harrington (@iambeardo)
Does following Tim Harrington, the absoutely fucking insane madman that fronts NYC art-punk outfit Les Savy Fav, come close to seeing him do his sweaty, nearly naked thing live? No-- but, what does? Regardless, when he does tweet (and he does so sporadically), he says suitably weird shit that should surprise nobody who knows how this guy's mind works.Choice Tweet: "If there is no t.p. In the john you just shit in it's best t'wipe with yer underpants and chuck 'em then to use your hand. Barely."Multimedia: Fairly bare-bones, with the occasional TwitPic.Will he @ you back?____: Don't bet on it, unless you're already pals.